Launch
Stories about the companies building a ride to space.
2025 Orbital Launch Attempts by Country
Around the world, rockets attempted to lift off 329 times—with 321 of these attempts reaching orbit or near orbit—according to data compiled by astronomer Jonathan McDowell.
What to Expect in 2026
2025 was a transformative year for the global space industry. 2026 will be the year in which many long-term plans (hopefully) take first flight.
Exolaunch to Deploy 22 Sats on SpaceX Twilight Mission
SpaceX is ready to bring customers on a sunset cruise.
PLD Space Outlines its Plans for €169M in ELC Funds
The real value of the ELC, according to Raúl Verdú, PLD’s chief business development officer, is the doors the challenge opens for PLD to extract knowledge from ESA.
Moonshot Space Raises $12M for Electromagnetic Launch
An Israeli startup has emerged from stealth with plans to build a new kind of launch system.
Transporter-15 Brings 140 Payloads to Orbit
Transporter-15 flight was busier than most. It deployed 140 payloads—the second-largest haul since Transporter flights began in 2021.
Blue Announces New Glenn Engine Upgrades, Super Heavy Variant
The changes—announced just a week after Blue made history as the second rocket company to land an orbital booster—are aimed at boosting performance, increasing launch cadence, and making the platform more reliable, according to a press release.
New Glenn Launches ESCAPADE, a NASA Mission to Mars
After a five-year gap in new missions focused on Mars, NASA is on its way back.
Yesterday afternoon at 3:55pm, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket launched for the second time, carrying its first NASA mission—the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers project, better known as ESCAPADE.
Firefly Raises FY Guidance in Q3 Earnings Release
Firefly Aerospace released its Q3 earnings results after market close yesterday, posting quarterly revenues of $30.8M—98% higher than Q2.
China Breaks Its Own Yearly Launch Record
A matching set of orbital launches out of China on Saturday brought the nation’s running total for the year to 70: a new record for the US’ closest rival in cadence.
With Transporter-15, Exolaunch is Planning its Biggest Mission Yet
Since the beginning of SpaceX’s rideshare program, Exolaunch has been a constant presence.
